Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

The Demoniacs Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 22, 2024

Jean Rollin's "The Demoniacs" (1974) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release inlcude new audio commentary by novelist and critic Tim Lucas; new program with author and critic Stephen Thrower; archival program with actor Jean-Pierre Bouyxou; archival program with actor Willy Braque; vintage promotional material; and more. In French or English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

In cinema, strange can mean many different things. It is not difficult to understand why either. All you must do is compare Dusan Makavejev’s Sweet Movie, Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo: The Iron Man, and Lech Mejewski’s Gospel According To Harry to realize that strange covers a lot and very diverse material. However, even though sometimes strange and different can be used to address the same films, nine out of ten times the former is reserved for films that are way out there. These films are not just different. They are bizarre and unhinged, sometimes both, and impossible to properly describe with simple words.

All of Jean Rollin’s non-pornographic films are strange films. However, they have their own niche in this category. They play with elements of different genres, like horror and erotica, and produce genuinely unique material. I think the best ones temporarily plug into the mind and do things to it an experienced medium would, but this is not always how they connect with their audience. Some are considered very stylish arty films that accomplish a lot with very little.

The Demoniacs is one of the strangest but least effective films Rollin directed. I do not fully understand it. I think it is either an incomplete film or a hybrid project that combines material that was supposed to be used in two, possibly even three films. Perhaps it is a whacky tribute to Federico Fellini’s work, whose parts never came together as they should have. Rollin also scripted it, so clearly it made sense to him before he began shooting it, and possibly after he finished it, but I do not fully understand it. Some parts of it I get, but not the finished film.

Like virtually all Rollin films, The Demoniacs is set in a place where the real and the surreal constantly overlap. In this place, a disgraced skipper-turned-crook (John Rico) and two shady sailors have figured out how to make ends meet by wrecking and robbing ships in a coral area with access to a secluded beach. During their latest stunt, they wreck a large ship but fail to extract any valuables before the ocean takes it. Shortly after, filled with anger, they brutally rape the only two survivors to reach the beach, both teenage girls (Lieva Lone and Patricia Hermenier), as skipper’s mistress, Tina (Joelle Coeur), silently observes from afar. Assuming the girls have died, the skipper, his mates, and his mistress then quietly return to the nearby village. What happens after that makes little sense to me. The girls survive and, while encouraged by a clown (Mireille Dargent), begin preparing their revenge. An exorcist (Ben Zimet) living in a cage agrees to assist them, too, and, at the right time, releases the Devil (Miletic Zivomir) that he has been keeping in a cage.

I have collected virtually all Rollin films that are out on DVD and Blu-ray, so The Demoniacs has been in my library for a long time and I have seen it a couple of times. The presence of the clown and the symbolism surrounding the exorcist and his relationship with the Devil suggest to me a desire to establish a relationship with Federico Fellini’s work, but the rest of the material is so odd and incoherent I suspect that The Demoniacs did not turn out as it should. That is probably why The Demoniacs can be seen in three different versions, one of which features additional sexually explicit content. However, and this is a very important clarification, the additional content does not transform The Demoniacs into a proper zesty genre film, either. It just makes it look more uneven, in much the same way some of the alternative versions of Jess Franco’s films do, which were done by various ambitious producers and usually without Franco’s involvement.

The Demoniacs Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Demoniacs arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release introduces a new 4K makeover of The Demoniacs that is also available on 4K Blu-ray. You can see our listing and review of the 4K Blu-ray release here.

I viewed the 4K makeover in native 4K. However, I spent time with the 1080p presentation of it on this Blu-ray release as well. I think that the 4K makeover is a tremendous upgrade in quality that looks equally impressive in native 4K and 1080p. It produces such big improvements in key areas, including color reproduction, that now it is possible to experience The Demoniacs in an entirely new way. I have the original release of The Demoniacs that the Redemption label prepared in 2012 and all I had to do is sample a few scenes to conclude that it is inferior in every possible way. Some of the darker footage, for instance, does not even have the same information that is present on the 4K makeover, which is rather incredible. The entire film looks immaculate now, too. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

The Demoniacs Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this release: French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and English LPCM 1.0. Theatrical Version can be viewed with French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track. Export Cut can be viewed with French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track. Curse of the Living Dead can be viewed with English LPCM 1.0 track. Optional English subtitles are provided for the French tracks. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the English track.

I viewed the Export Cut in native 4K. The audio is clear, clean, and stable. Balance is good, but some minor fluctuations can be noticed. Also, dynamic intensity, even during the action footage, is rather weak, but this is an inherited quality. The music does not produce any interesting dynamic contrasts either. The English translation is excellent.

The Demoniacs Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary One - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critic and novelist Tim Lucas.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Jean Rollin. The director addresses several scenes from The Demoniacs. In English.

• Introduction - presented here is a short archival introduction to The Demoniacs by Jean Rollin. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Jean-Pierre Bouyxou: Un des demoniaques - in this program, actor Jean-Pierre Bouyxou, who appeared in several of Jean Rollin's films, recalls his involvement with The Demoniacs and comments on Rollin's working methods. In French, with English subtitles. (21 min).

• Willy Braque: The Iron Eagle - in this program, actor Willy Braque explains why he always wanted to play "bad guys" and discusses his contribution to The Demoniacs. Also, there are some quite hilarious comments about the impact of his acting in erotic scenes on his relationships with different women. In French, with English subtitles. (11 min).

• Paul Bisciglia: One Perfect Shot - in this program, actor Paul Bisciglia discusses Jean Rollin's working methods and explains why he wanted to work with him. Bisciglia also comments on his performance in The Demoniacs. In French, with English subtitles. (9 min).

• Stephen Thrower: Vengeance and Purity - in this new program, author and critic Stephen Thrower discusses The Demoniacs and its placement in Jean Rollin's body of work. In English, not subtitled. (42 min).

• Outtake Footage - presented fully restored. (3 min).

• Original Theatrical Trailer - presented is an original French theatrical trailer for The Demoniacs. Fully restored. In French, with English subtitles. (4 min).

• Image Gallery - a gallery of original promotional material for The Demoniacs.

• Booklet - an exclusive 80-page book with a new essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, an archival piece on the making of the film by Jean Rollin, an archival interview with Rollin, an archival interview with actor Monica Swinn, and technical credits.

The Demoniacs Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In an archival program, actor Paul Bisciglia recalls how a good friend described Jean Rollin before he had done any work with him. "Rollin sometimes really turns out bullshit, but there is always a fantastic shot. He always has at least one brilliant shot in each film." This description sums up The Demoniacs pretty well, too, I think. It is a film that has several sections with brilliant visuals, but it is a strange mess. And no, the strange is not of the kind that makes many of Rollin's films memorable mind-benders. I do not fully understand it. I think it is either an incomplete film or a hybrid project that combines material that was supposed to be used in two, possibly even three films. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Blu-ray release introduces a stunning 4K makeover of The Demoniacs that is available on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, so Rollin completists should consider picking up one of these releases for their libraries.